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Major boost for Western Australian renewable hydrogen
Australia’s Heavy Vehicle Road transport industry has a unique set of characteristics that includes longer distances and larger combinations than occurs elsewhere in the world. The WA State Government has welcomed a $71.2 million funding boost for two Western Australian renewable hydrogen projects through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
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Two of the three projects announced for ARENA funding are located in WA, in a clear sign of WA’s leading position in the renewable hydrogen industry.
The YURI Green Ammonia Project – a consortium between Engie Renewables Australia and Yara Pilbara Fertilisers – will receive $42.5 million towards a 10MW electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen at the existing ammonia facility on the Pilbara’s Burrup Peninsula.
It follows the McGowan Government’s $2 million grant to the project in January this year through the WA Renewable Hydrogen Fund.
ATCO Australia’s Clean Energy Innovation Park will receive $28.7 million towards a 10MW electrolyser co-located at the Warradarge wind farm in the Mid-West, producing renewable hydrogen for gas blending.
In 2020, the McGowan Government helped to kick-start the project by funding a feasibility study into the Clean Energy Innovation Park and have committed more than $35 million towards developing a jobcreating renewable hydrogen industry in WA.
Hydrogen Industry Minister Alannah MacTiernan says, “We welcome this funding injection through the Federal Government, which backs in our Government's efforts to position Western Australia as the nation’s leader on renewable hydrogen development.
“The McGowan Government’s earlystage funding for both projects through the Renewable Hydrogen Fund has now paid off.
“The projects align with the McGowan Government’s 2019 Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, developing a hydrogen industry for both export and to blend into the local gas network.
“Renewable hydrogen will be a major future industry for WA, helping to reduce carbon emissions locally and around the world and supporting local jobs.”
Works begin at Australia's first regional renewable hydrogen plant
Work has begun on Australia’s first community hydrogen power plant, providing an innovative and renewable alternative to the use of diesel in the Gascoyne town of Denham.
Horizon Power will install a 704-kilowatt (kW) solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell in Denham, enabling excess renewable energy to be used to produce renewable hydrogen which will be stored on site and used to power homes as required.
It is the first time in Australia that a renewable hydrogen powered remote microgrid will be used in the community, with Denham chosen due to its proximity to wind and solar resources and land availability.
Site works on the solar farm have begun, with construction of the hydrogen power plant due to start in August and the project commissioned and operational by early 2022.
Initial results confirm Oakajee as ideal site for green hydrogen
Initial data recordings of wind and solar conditions at the Oakajee Strategic Industrial Area in Western Australia’s Mid-West region indicate that it is an ideal site for the development of a green hydrogen industry.
ARUP, in conjunction with Fulcrum3D, have been recording site-specific wind and solar resource data at the Oakajee SIA since January 2021.
While recordings will continue for a full 12-month period to determine seasonal variability, the initial results are very encouraging and demonstrate the site's suitability for renewable energy to facilitate green hydrogen production.
The McGowan Government is currently reviewing 65 expressions of interest received to develop the greenfields strategic industrial site into a globally competitive renewable hydrogen production and export precinct.
There was a strong international interest in the EOI process including submissions from companies categorised as ‘super majors’, each having a global reach and market capitalisations in the tens or hundreds of billions.
With a 6,400-hectare footprint, the Oakajee SIA has the capacity to support an extensive renewable energy hub and deliver power at internationally competitive power prices, essential for the competitive production of green hydrogen.
The site, managed by DevelopmentWA, is located on the coast just 23 kilometres north of Geraldton and is connected via the North West Coastal Highway to the Geraldton Port.
“These initial results are extremely encouraging and confirm that Western Australia has a world-class renewable resource that is ideal to support a successful green hydrogen industry.
“The Oakajee SIA is ideally located for the production and export of renewable energy both to local and international markets and there has been strong global interest in developing the site.
“We know there is incredible demand for clean, renewable energy and we are determined to ensure Western Australia is a market leader in the production of renewable hydrogen,” said Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES
Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit. Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004
